After nearly eight decades abroad, volumes II and III of the Chu Silk Manuscripts have finally returned to the Chinese mainland this May.
Donald Harper, Centennial Professor of Chinese Studies at the University of Chicago, reflected on this landmark repatriation from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art back to their origin in Changsha. He described the moment as a turning point for scholars and culture lovers around the world.
The scrolls were unearthed in the 1940s from a tomb in Zidanku, Changsha, but were illegally removed and passed through multiple institutions in the United States. Harper underscored the emotional weight of seeing these ancient texts come home after so many years.
Central to the manuscripts' journey was the dedication of Professor Li Ling. Harper praised her decades of research and advocacy, noting that her work unlocked crucial insights into ancient Chu society and laid the foundation for their repatriation.
For young global citizens, tech enthusiasts, and changemakers, this repatriation is more than a historical event. It's a reminder of the impact of international collaboration and the importance of respecting cultural heritage. As the Chu Silk Manuscripts enter a new chapter in the Chinese mainland's archives, the world looks on, ready to uncover the stories they hold.
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University of Chicago professor on return of Chu Silk Manuscripts
cgtn.com
